Wildlife Haven in \u00cele-des-Ch\u00eanes\u00a0is preparing for a major expansion after receiving a $650,000 provincial grant and becoming Manitoba\u2019s only multi-species wildlife rehabilitation\u00a0centre.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Province provides $650k\u00a0<\/p>\n
Zoe Nakata, executive director at Wildlife Haven, says the funding from the province will support long-needed capital improvements across the organization\u2019s campus.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is something we\u2019ve been working on for years and years,\u201d Nakata says.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve\u00a0been chatting with the government trying to explain what we do, our needs\u00a0and\u00a0the impact on biodiversity and conservation in the province.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The funding will go toward upgrades to animal enclosures, repairs to the main\u00a0building,\u00a0and improvements around the property.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nakata says some of the upgrades\u00a0have\u00a0already begun.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Prairie Wildlife to close its doors\u00a0<\/p>\n
The grant comes at a critical time for Wildlife Haven as Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre prepares to close, leaving\u00a0the \u00cele-des-Ch\u00eanes\u00a0facility\u00a0as\u00a0the last multi-species rehab\u00a0centre\u00a0in the province.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat news\u00a0came as\u00a0quite a shock.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0very saddening,\u201d says Nakata.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe expect an overnight increase of about 35 per cent\u00a0for\u00a0calls and intakes.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
That increase, she says, will place\u00a0additional\u00a0financial pressure on the organization, requiring an estimated $400,000 more annually to provide food, veterinary\u00a0care\u00a0and rehabilitation services.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\u201cWild animals in Manitoba deserve that second\u00a0chance\u00a0and we know that\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0being disproportionately affected by human activity,\u201d she says.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to be there for them.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Prairie Wildlife will continue rehabilitating animals already in its care until they are released, but Wildlife Haven will\u00a0be responsible for\u00a0all new wildlife intakes moving forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nakata said ongoing community support will be essential as the organization adapts to the increased workload.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCash donations are the best way to support the animals because we can buy the medication they need,\u201d she notes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Supporters can donate through Wildlife Haven\u2019s website, sign up for monthly\u00a0giving\u00a0or contribute needed supplies through the organization\u2019s online wish list.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lumi settles into new habitat<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, supporters of Lumi, the rescued\u00a0lynx\u00a0cub, can now visit her at the Assiniboine Park Zoo.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nakata says Lumi recently completed quarantine and moved into her permanent habitat after being transferred to the zoo earlier this year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Although Lumi continues to receive medication for seizures, Nakata said the lynx is doing well.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\u201cShe\u2019s probably going to be on medication for the rest of her life, but it\u2019s doing an excellent job keeping her seizures at bay.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n